hunting

DEC Releases 2021-22 Deer Hunting Estimates

June 6, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced hunters in New York killed an estimated 211,269 deer during the 2021-22 hunting seasons.

The season’s take was down 17 percent last year and data points to a few factors for a cause, including the resurgence of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease in certain regions of the State and fewer Deer Management Permits allocated. There was however a 36-percent jump in youth deer kills and a late-season deer harvest increase, particularly among young hunters. [Read more…] about DEC Releases 2021-22 Deer Hunting Estimates

Comments Sought on Herkimer County’s Three Lakes Easement

June 5, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is seeking public comment on a draft recreation management plan (RMP) for the Three Lakes Tract Conservation Easement in the town of Webb, Herkimer County.

The 3,350-acre Three Lakes Tract (TLT) is comprised of commercially managed forestland and is named for three waterbodies located on the property-Hitchcock, Grass, and Moose ponds. The RMP will address public recreational access and facilities consistent with the conservation easement. The public comment period is open until July 1st, 2022. [Read more…] about Comments Sought on Herkimer County’s Three Lakes Easement

2021 NYS Hunter Safety Stats Released

February 27, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that the 2021 hunting seasons in New York were the safest ever, with the lowest number of hunting-related shooting incidents since record-keeping began.

Conservation Police Officers (ECO) investigated nine hunting-related shooting incidents (HRSIs) in 2021, including one fatality. DEC did not asses the impact of COVID-19 on the 2021 hunting season. [Read more…] about 2021 NYS Hunter Safety Stats Released

2021 NYS Bear Hunting Statistics Released

February 21, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York bear hunters killed 1,346 black bears during the 2021 hunting seasons, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced.

Hunters killed an estimated 403 bears in the Northern Zone and 943 bears in the Southern Zone. This represents roughly 30 percent fewer bears taken in the north and 20 percent fewer taken in the south than in 2020, but only about 10 percent fewer than the five-year average in each zone. [Read more…] about 2021 NYS Bear Hunting Statistics Released

Trail Cam Helps Nab Poacher

February 10, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

According to a press release issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, on January 20th, a Watertown man paid a $700 penalty in the town of Watertown, Jefferson County, for unlawfully taking a white-tailed deer with the aid of a bait pile. [Read more…] about Trail Cam Helps Nab Poacher

The Thirteenth Lake Hotel: A History

January 30, 2022 by Dave Waite 10 Comments

In the summertime, the parking lot at the end of Thirteenth Lake Road in the town of Johnsburg, Warren County, will be crowded with the cars and trucks of people there to hike, paddle, and camp.

Few of these visitors realize that sixty years ago when they stood on the shore, they would have seen a large, modern-looking hotel sitting on the hillside overlooking the lake. This is the story of that enterprise and those who kept it up and running for over 100 years. [Read more…] about The Thirteenth Lake Hotel: A History

Deer Poachers Keep Environmental Conservation Police Busy

January 7, 2022 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs). [Read more…] about Deer Poachers Keep Environmental Conservation Police Busy

New Road To Open Access To St. Lawrence County Wild Areas

December 28, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the amendment of the Kildare Conservation Easement and the Five Mile Conservation Easement Recreation Management Plans (RMPs) to include new opportunities for public access to recreation in the Adirondack Park. [Read more…] about New Road To Open Access To St. Lawrence County Wild Areas

NYS Licensed Guides 2022 Exam Dates Set

December 16, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

The State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced that examinations are scheduled for individuals seeking to become licensed guides in New York State.

The exams being offered are for guiding in the following categories: camping; fishing; hiking; hunting; whitewater; rock climbing; ice climbing; and certified skilled with boats and canoes. [Read more…] about NYS Licensed Guides 2022 Exam Dates Set

Forest Rangers Respond To Hunters, Hiker in Distress

December 14, 2021 by Editorial Staff Leave a Comment

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers respond to search and rescue incidents throughout New York State. Working with other state agencies, local emergency response organizations and volunteer search and rescue groups, Forest Rangers locate and extract lost, injured or distressed people.

What follows is a report, prepared by DEC, of recent missions carried out by Forest Rangers. [Read more…] about Forest Rangers Respond To Hunters, Hiker in Distress